2008 tollway budget includes $1.1 billion for improvements

Commuters can expect almost non-stop construction in 2008 as the Illinois Tollway Congestion Relief program steps up its work.

Samantha Nelson

Commuters can expect almost non-stop construction in 2008 as the Illinois Tollway Congestion Relief program steps up its work.

This is the fourth year of the $6.3 billion capital plan, which extends through 2016. The project began with converting the entire roadway system to open road tolling, a process which already is complete. Part of the goal is to have a minimum of four lanes in each direction on the Tri-State Tollway.
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To view the full proposed Tollway budget, visit illinoistollway.com.

“Essentially for the next two years you’re going to see solid construction on the Tri-State,” said Tollway spokeswoman Joelle McGinnis. “This is all replacing pavement that’s 50 years old and adding an additional lane.”

The Tollway’s proposed 2008 budget contains $1.1 billion for these projects and $363 million for non-capital expenses, McGinnis said. This year the board of directors approved additional time and another billion dollars for the construction, which will be present throughout the year. The budget will be submitted for approval at the Tollway Board of Directors meeting Thursday, Dec. 20.

“It’s different from the old days where construction would start up around April and end around November,” McGinnis said. “We are continuing our projects year-round. You’ll see weekend work so we can get the work done and get out of the drivers’ way.”

Projects this year include continuing work along the Reagan Memorial Tollway between the Eisenhower Expressway and west of the Fox River. A second bridge will be built across the river next to the existing one that will carry eastbound traffic. The bridge, along with work between Finley Road in Downers Grove and Washington Street in Naperville, is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

In 2008, reconstruction and widening of the westbound lanes between Route 83 in Oak Brook and Finley Road and the eastbound lanes between Deerpath Road in Kane County and the Aurora toll plaza is expected to be completed. Resurfacing and widening of the Veterans Memorial Tollway between 75th Street in Woodridge and Interstate 88 also is on the docket next year.

The central section of the Tri-State from Balmoral Avenue to Lake-Cook Road will remain under construction in both directions, but the southbound lanes from Half Day Road to the Wisconsin state line is expected to be finished in 2008.

“Many of the projects, since they’re rebuilding and widening projects, are not something that can be completed in a single construction season,” McGinnis said.

During the construction the tollway will continue to maintain three open lanes in both directions by opening shoulders and directing traffic through median openings into crossover lanes. Detours are expected to be rare and only used during ramp construction.

However, reductions in speed due to construction zones still are likely to cause traffic jams, so McGinnis encouraged all drivers to leave themselves extra time.

Downers Grove Mayor Ron Sandack said he is staying focused on the positive side of the work rather than the congestion it could cause to I-88, the Veterans Memorial Tollway and other major thoroughfares around the village.

“Capital needs like (I-)294 have to be addressed some time,” he said. “If the intent is to condense it and get it done as quickly as possible, there’s certainly some merit to that perspective. It just might be a little messy for a while.”